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June 15, 2017

How Mulla Husayn received his famous sword

The whole province of Khurásán was in those days [1848] in
the throes of a violent agitation. The activities which Quddús and Mullá Husayn
had initiated, their zeal, their courage, their outspoken language, had aroused
the people from their lethargy, had kindled in the hearts of some the noblest
sentiments of faith and devotion, and had provoked in the breasts of others the
instincts of passionate fanaticism and malice. A multitude of seekers
constantly poured from every direction into Mashhad, eagerly sought the
residence of Mullá Husayn, and through him were ushered into the presence of
Quddús.

Their numbers soon swelled to such proportions as to excite
the apprehension of the authorities. The chief constable viewed with concern
and dismay the crowds of agitated people who streamed unceasingly into every
quarter of the holy City [Mashhad]. In his desire to assert his rights,
intimidate Mullá Husayn, and induce him to curtail the scope of his activities,
he issued orders to arrest immediately the latter’s special attendant, whose
name was Hasan, and subject him to cruel and shameful treatment. They pierced
his nose, passed a cord through the incision, and with this halter led and
paraded him through the streets.

Mullá Husayn was in the presence of Quddús when the news of
the disgraceful affliction that had befallen his servant reached him. Fearing
lest this sad intelligence might grieve the heart of his beloved chief, he
arose and quietly retired. His companions soon gathered round him, expressed
their indignation at this outrageous assault upon so innocent a follower of
their Faith, and urged him to avenge the insult. Mullá Husayn tried to appease
their anger. “Let not,” he pleaded, “the indignity that has befallen Hasan
afflict and disturb you, for Husayn is still with you and will safely deliver
him back into your hands to-morrow.”

In the face of so solemn an assurance, his companions
ventured no further remarks. Their hearts, however, burned with impatience to
redress that bitter injury. A number of them eventually decided to band
themselves together and loudly raise, through the streets of Mashhad, the cry
of “Yá Sáhibu’z-Zamán!” [1]as a
protest against this sudden affront to the dignity of their Faith. That cry was
the first of its kind to be raised in Khurásán in the name of the Cause of God.
The city re-echoed with the sound of those voices. The reverberations of their
shouts reached even the most outlying regions of the province, raised a great
tumult in the hearts of the people, and were the signal for the tremendous
happenings that were destined to transpire in the future.

In the midst of the confusion that ensued, those who were
holding the halter with which they dragged Hasan through the streets, perished
by the sword. The companions of Mullá Husayn conducted the released captive
into the presence of their leader and informed him of the fate that had
befallen the oppressor. “You have refused,” Mullá Husayn is reported to have
remarked, “to tolerate the trials to which Hasan has been subjected; how can
you reconcile yourselves to the martyrdom of Husayn?” [2]This incident served to intensify the unsettled environment
in the city of Mashhad. The entire province and the surrounding areas were in a
state of unrest with segments of the population repudiating the authority of
the central government. All these troubles began immediately after Muhammad
Sháh had condemned the Báb to captivity in the mountain-stronghold of
Ádhirbayján. The King experienced a sudden reversal of fortune, such as he had
never known before, which struck at the very foundations of his rule. Appalling
upsets surprised his forces that were engaged in maintaining internal order
throughout the provinces. The standard of rebellion was hoisted in Khurásán,
and so great was the consternation provoked by that uprising that the Sháh’s
projected campaign to Hirát was immediately abandoned.The city of Mashhad,
which had just recovered its peace and tranquility after a recent rebellion,
was plunged once again into confusion and distress as a result of this harsh
and inhumane incident involving Mulla Husayn’s attendant and the resulting
rescue and attempt at retaliation by some Babis.The news of
these fresh disturbances suddenly reached Prince Hamzih Mírzá who was earlier
stationed with his men and munitions at a distance of four farsangs [about 12
miles] from the city, ready to face whatever emergency might arise. The prince
immediately dispatched a detachment to the city with instructions to obtain the
assistance of the governor for the arrest of Mullá Husayn, and to conduct him
into his presence. The captain of the Prince’s artillery, immediately
intervened. “I deem myself,” he pleaded, “one among the lovers and admirers of
Mullá Husayn. If you contemplate inflicting any harm upon him, I pray you to
take my life and then to proceed to execute your design; for I cannot, so long
as I live, tolerate the least disrespect towards him.”

The prince, who knew full well how much he stood in need of
that officer, was greatly embarrassed at this unexpected declaration. “I too
have met Mullá Husayn,” was his reply as he tried to remove the apprehension of
his artillery captain. “I too cherish the utmost devotion to him. By summoning
him to my camp, I am hoping to restrict the scope of the mischief which has
been kindled and to safeguard his person.” The prince then addressed in his own
handwriting a letter to Mullá Husayn in which he urged the extreme desirability
of his transferring his residence for a few days to his headquarters, and
assured him of his sincere desire to shield him from the attacks of his
infuriated opponents. He gave orders that his own highly ornamented tent be
pitched in the vicinity of his camp and be reserved for the reception of his
expected guest.

On the receipt of this communication, Mullá Husayn presented
it to Quddús, who advised him to respond to the invitation of the prince. “No
harm can befall you,” Quddús assured him. “As to me, I shall this very night set
out in the company of Mírzá Muhammad-‘Alíy-i-Qazvíní, one of the Letters of the
Living, for Mázindarán. Please God, you too, later on, at the head of a large
company of the faithful and preceded by the ‘Black Standards,’ will depart from
Mashhad and join me. We shall meet at whatever place the Almighty will have
decreed.”

Mullá Husayn joyously responded. He threw himself at the
feet of Quddús and assured him of his firm determination to discharge with
fidelity the obligations which he had imposed upon him. Quddús lovingly took
him in his arms and, kissing his eyes and his forehead, committed him to the
Almighty’s unfailing protection. Early that same afternoon, Mullá Husayn
mounted his steed and rode out with dignity and calm to the encampment of Prince
Hamzih Mírzá, and was ceremoniously conducted by ‘Abdu’l-‘Alí Khán, the
prince’s artillery captain, who, together with a number of officers, had been
appointed by the prince to go out and welcome him, to the tent that had been
specially erected for his use….

Mullá Husayn returned from the camp of Prince Hamzih Mírzá
to Mashhad, from which place he was to proceed seven days later to Karbilá
accompanied by whomsoever he might desire. The prince offered him a sum to
defray the expenses of his journey, an offer that he declined, sending the
money back with a message requesting him to expend it for the relief of the
poor and needy. ‘Abdu’l-‘Alí Khán likewise volunteered to provide all the
requirements of Mullá Husayn’s intended pilgrimage, and expressed his eagerness
to pay also the expenses of whomsoever he might choose to accompany him. All
that he accepted from him was a sword and a horse, both of which he was
destined to utilise with consummate bravery and skill in repulsing the assaults
of a treacherous enemy.

My pen can never adequately describe the devotion which
Mullá Husayn had kindled in the hearts of the people of Mashhad, nor can it
seek to fathom the extent of his influence. His house, in those days, was
continually besieged by crowds of eager people who begged to be allowed to
accompany him on his contemplated journey. Mothers brought their sons, and
sisters their brothers, and tearfully implored him to accept them as their most
cherished offerings on the Altar of Sacrifice.

(Adapted from ‘The Dawn-Breakers’, by Nabil; translated and
edited by Shoghi Effendi)